While Obama was on the course, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest released a statement in response to the attacks. “We express our deepest condolences to the families of the six U.S. service members killed and to all of those injured in today’s Taliban attack near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and their loved ones,” the statement read, adding that the United States condemned the “cowardly attack.”

Later in the day, Obama allowed reporters on the course to observe him make a chip shot on the 18th hole. After successfully making the shot, Obama raised both arms in triumph, and turned and pointed in the direction of the reporters on the course.